The Saale-Unstrut-Appellation the Wines
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
The Wines “The full-fruited wines show enough fresh acidity and power to evolve fur- ther and improve up to five years in the bottle. Luetzkendorf shows what the picturesque Saale-Unstrut growing area is capable of producing.” The Saale-Unstrut-Appellation – HUGH JOHNSON’S GUIDE TO GREAT WINE , 6TH EDITION – he “Tuscany of the North” as our region along the Saale fauna and flora. Along its river glens and steep terraces are fruit and Unstrut river valleys is known benefits greatly from orchards, grape vines, and picturesque vineyard huts. For wine „There will never be a or more than 20 years Uwe Luetzkendorf has been producing the warm, dry and especially mild microclima which enthusiasts, pleasure seekers and all who love Nature, with all perfect wine. But the vision immensely multi-facetted, complex wines which do not easily T has furthered wine cultivation here for centuries. The hilly land- of its visual beauties and cultural sites , this area and its many of one is that for which we surrender their secrets, thereby causing them to remain mem- F scape is noted for its meandering waterways, numerous castles castles between the Saale and Unstrut is certainly worth visit- strive, in humility before Nature orable. They show a resonance which reflects the singular character and palaces as well as its singular biotope with its multifaceted ing. Come visit us soon! and serving as Nature’s medium.” of the terroir and also serves to display the the basic fundamental – UWE LÜTZKENDORF – characteristics of each varietal. Our dry wines from the Karsdorf High Crest Vineyard captivate with their To obtain our wines directly, visit our online mineral character and are very strong in expression, possessing a great sales outlet: potential for thorough ripening, and are suitable for long-term ageing. www.shop-luetzkendorf.de Likewise, they also reflect die singular uniqueness of their terroir. Weingut uwe Lützkendorf Saalberge 31, D-06628 Naumburg, OT Bad Kösen tel.: +49 34463 61000 fax: +49 34463 61001 e-mail: [email protected] www.weingut-luetzkendorf.de Webshop: www.shop-luetzkendorf.de KARSDORFER HOHE GRÄTE / KARSDORF HIGH CREST VINEYARD Cherished Tradition and Evolving Development The Vineyards The „Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte“ or High Crest Vineyard, a “premium Lage” or HOW WE CULTIVATE AND HARVEST OUR GRAPES Grand cru vineyard consists of two sections: the historic vineyard and a new FREYBURGER EDELACKER / “The Wine is the Image of the Vintner”, as the saying goes. If this old adage did not already portion. Characteristically, the historic section’s geological make-up contains THE FREYBURG NOBLE ACRE exist, it would have to have been invented for Uwe Luetzkendorf. His wines are authentic „As a vintner family we live and derive our livelihood from Nature and a vaulted, double-layered of quartzite between layers of fossil-rich calcium and Noble wines thrive only on noble soils. The premium growth and multi-facetted. They have soul, and they have character. And they certainly reflect the are embedded in it. – UWE LÜTZKENDORF – colored sandstone. This sort of formation is hardly even seen in other German now called the Freyburger Edelacker was previously image of this highly individualistic vintner. vineyards, however it is found inFrance the finest Grand Cru growths in Bur- known under the name „Freyburger Schweigen- gundy. Here we grow Pinot blanc, Sylvaner and Riesling. nder his direction the Luetzkendorf Winery has produced excellent, highly-rated, fine With great personal engagement, passion for the wine-mak- he basis for our top-quality wines derives from maintaing an eco- berg.“ It is blessed with exceptionally fertile, quality wines with unmistakable flavor. Varietals such as Riesling, Pinot blanc, ing profession, and an excellent feel for the nuances that dis- logical equilibirum in the cultivation of our vines. To attain this, in The other section is the „Kalksteinbruch“ or Limestone mine. It is a reclaimed cal- deeply-set soil. Its high proportions of loam Sylvaner, Red Traminer and Gutedel are now cultivated in the Luetzkendorf tinguish extraordinary wines, Luetzkendorf’s first, self-produced conjunction with reduced yields, we thin our vines’ leaf canopy and cium strip mine which up until the early 1990’s produced chalk for the production and clay soils (which retain water so well,) U T are exceptional for weathered, fos- vineyards with care and consideration. Until after German Reunification, 1990, no one wines reflected the his commitment during those very first years. Just reduce the number of grape clusters – all this culminates in late harvesting of cement. It lies at the edge of a 400-hectare/600 acre depression whose encom- could have imagined this being possible. In 1991, Uwe Luetzkendorf, an empas- four years later, the Lutzekendorf Winery was accepted for membership in when the grapes are physically and phenologically ripe. The unmistakable passing stone walls rise 40 meters high, roughly 120 feet. Geologically-speaking sil-calcium-dominated soils. This sioned young vintner, fresh out of school, newly-graduated from his studies the exclusive “Association of German Premium Wine Producers, (VDP) and flavor of our wines is attributable to the strong influence of our pronounced its 4.5 hectare/11 acres growing area within that large property contains calcium, is where the Blauer Zweifelt with a diploma in Fermentation and Beverage Technology, put every thing thereby entitled to display the Association’s “Wine Eagle” Logo on its labels, lit- Continental climate as reflected in the Saale-Unstrut-Region’s micro-climate. chalk, as well as red- and green clay soils. During the summer the grapes benefit varietal finds ideal ripening he had into bringing the cherished Luetzkendorf family tradition of fine- erature and promotional items. Luetzkendorf Winery’s election to the VDP, (like a The summers are hot and the winters are cold here above the 51st paral- from the reflective qualities of the gigantic calcium walls surrounding the vine- conditions. Because of wine making back to life. This was made possible that year when squire’s elevation to knighthood,) after only four years’ operations, was extremely unique: lel on the leeward side of the Harz Mountains. Better climatic conditions yard. These retain the sun’s warmth and enable Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Traminer, its steep 45’ incline, the vineyards were returned to the Family after having been very few German wineries attain the VDP’s stringent quality-control requirements. Since for our vines are hardly imaginable. Thanks to the long vegetation period Pinot Noir and Portugieser to develop better. In winter the walls offer active pro- harvesting here seized in the 1950’s by the former East German state as then Uwe Luetzkendorf maintains his own idea of producing “perfect” wines which are true to and the late harvest which often takes place only in October, the grapes tection from the cold and the negative aspects of winter weather. The shape of the is especially part of the forced collectivization of private property. nature, displaying character and being highly individual reflecting the best aspects of their birthplace. have sufficient time to ripen allowing their full flavors to evolve completely. depression at the banks of the Unstrut River provides optimal conditions for cold demanding. air drainage. In the area adjacent the vineyard itself, there remain no scars or damage resulting from the former calcium mining operations..